Helio Castroneves' Top IndyCar Goal in 2022: One for the Thumb

It may be hard to believe that nearly 15 years ago has gone by since Helio Castroneves won Dancing With The Stars back in 2007.

Yet when he was introduced Tuesday during the second of two IndyCar preseason media days in Indianapolis, rather than doing the samba, waltz or foxtrot, the affable Brazilian was ready to break out into song instead.

Four-part harmony, you might say.

“I’ve been introduced several times today (as the newest four-time Indianapolis 500 winner),” Castroneves said. “It’s just music to my ears, I have to say.”

Now, after scoring the biggest hit—and most electric and joyous post-win celebration—of his career last May in the Indianapolis 500, Castroneves is ready for an encore performance in the 106th edition of the Greatest Spectacle In Racing less than 4 ½ months from now.

“Absolutely,” Castroneves said. “I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't have a chance. Going to be fighting for it.”

As monstrous of a win and celebration as he enjoyed last May, Castroneves is ready to take things to the highest level of any driver in Indianapolis 500 history: he wants to set himself apart as the unrivaled champ with five wins in the world’s biggest car race.

Right now, Castroneves is tied with fellow IndyCar legends AJ Foyt, Rick Mears and the late Al Unser, who died last month at the age of 82.

After spending the previous three seasons competing full-time in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for Team Penske—the only full-time IndyCar team he had ever known—Castroneves returned to IndyCar part-time in 2021, driving for Meyer Shank Racing.

And what a way to make his debut with his new team.

Even though he started respectably from the middle of the third-row on the 33-car grid, it would not be a stretch to say few likely expected that 2 hours, 37 minutes and 19 seconds after taking the green flag, Castroneves would end the day by also taking the checkered flag.

Now, Castroneves looks to make history yet again, to become the first driver in 500 history to earn a winner’s ring for his thumb, you might say. But first things first, namely the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series opening race on February 27.

“(I’m) really, really, really looking forward to St. Pete,” Castroneves said. “Imagine what we did last year without any preparation. Now you can only imagine having everyone in sync. It's just going to get better.”

In a series where the defending champion (Alex Palou) is only 24 years old (turns 25 on April 1), nearly half of Castroneves’ age, Helio is half of one of the oldest teams of full-time drivers in IndyCar this season, being reunited with former Penske teammate Simon Pagenaud.

Ironically, Castroneves and Pagenaud both share birthdays in the month of May, Helio turns 47 on May 10, while Pagenaud turns 38 on May 18.

But they’re not slowing down. They’re ready to take on Palou, who, by the way, Castroneves beat to the finish line by nearly a half-second in the 500 last Memorial Day weekend.

“Having Simon now with the team, which is going to be a great teammate as well, working together to understand what we need, that probably is going to put us on the next level,” Castroneves said.

Pagenaud lost his ride with Team Penske after his contract was not renewed at the end of 2021, which also marked the same time that the organization announced it would shrink from four to three full-time cars in 2022.

One day after the 2021 IndyCar season ended, Team Penske’s loss quickly became Meyer Shank’s gain, quickly snatching up free agent Pagenaud as the Ohio-based organization prepared for its first season of having two full-time cars in its stable.

Pagenaud replaces Jack Harvey, who turned down a multi-year deal to remain with MSR and instead jumped to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

“Simon is an amazing talent, very particular, understands what he likes, looks for small details,” Castroneves said. “When we're together, (we) complement each other. … He understands the team process, working as a teammate. We hopefully carry that over to MSR, which is not only going to help us, me and Simon, but (also) help the team to elevate.”

Castroneves and Pagenaud tested recently at Sebring, which Helio tabbed “flawless.” They’re back in the saddle again together.

“We're in the same room, same truck, we're able to discuss what we feel that we can,” Castroneves said. “I just feel the communication is going to just get better. That was our first session together. He was just learning obviously the whole new process, as well as understanding the team. It was great. Certainly we're in the right direction.”

Winning the Indy 500 and the championship are like 1 and 1A on Castroneves’ goal list this season.

“To win the championship—winning the Indy 500 will make that path less difficult,” he said. “Thank God the Indy 500 is in May, probably the fourth or fifth race. That would definitely help to keep pursuing the championship. That's the goal. We're definitely here to do that.”

But right after those top two goals, Castroneves also has a sentimental goal: to win once again at the track where he earned his first IndyCar victory 22 years ago (June 18, 2020, to be exact), at Belle Isle in Detroit.

Adding to his ardor to win that race is also the fact it will be the last race on the venerable park-like layout, as next season the Detroit Grand Prix will be held on the streets of downtown in Motor City.

“Belle Isle is the last time we're going to be racing there,” Castroneves said. “That's where everything started, winning my first-ever win in IndyCar. That would be a special place for sure to come back.”

In a sense, instead of starting the final chapters of his IndyCar career, Castroneves feels like he’s just getting started all over again with MSR.

If he could go back in time and tell himself back then what he knows now, Castroneves would have a simple message: “Keep it going, my friend. You're going to have a bright future. That's what I would tell.”

Then, he drew a bit more serious.

“It's amazing all these years, being able to accomplish obviously everywhere we’ve been able to go,” he said. “It's always a challenge. Racing is challenging, right? When you love your sport, when you love what you do, you want to always improve. That's where I'm at right now. I want to continue improving and pushing hard.”

Then he added with his million-dollar smile and noted sense of humor, “It's fun when you prove some people wrong. I do that all the time with my wife. I don't get the credit anyway, though.”

Follow Autoweek contributor Jerry Bonkowski on Twitter @JerryBonkowski